By Jerome Joseph, D.O., Trinity Health Of New England
Health care is not “one size fits all.” An individual’s current health, history, and personal risk factors all play a role. That’s why it’s important to build a relationship with a primary care provider. Staying current with wellness visits, age-appropriate screenings, and immunizations is crucial to your overall well-being.
Jerome Joseph, D.O., a primary care physician with Trinity Health Of New England, answers questions about preventive medicine, trusting your health care provider, the stigma surrounding mental health, and more.
Q: Can you talk about the importance of preventive medicine and its benefits—especially for men?
Preventive medicine is how we stop problems before they become emergencies. That’s the real power of it. It allows us to catch diseases early, when they’re easier to treat. But the reality is that men are statistically less likely to go to the doctor, less likely to get regular checkups, and more likely to ignore warning signs. That delay can be dangerous. Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate cancer, and colon cancer often don’t cause symptoms in the early stages—but that’s exactly when they’re most treatable. It’s not just about adding years to your life—it’s about adding quality to those years. My goal is to shift the mindset from “only go to the doctor when something’s wrong” to “go to stay healthy.”
Q: Preventive medicine can be life-saving. However, there is medical mistrust within our community due to historical injustices, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. How do you empower our community to engage with the health care system—especially men?
It starts with acknowledging that mistrust is justified. There’s a real history of mistreatment. I never dismiss that history. Instead, I lean into transparency, clear communication, and shared decision-making. I explain everything, and I involve patients in decisions. I also encourage men to see regular care not as weakness but as an act of strength and leadership—for themselves and their families.
Q: What would your advice be to build trust in health care within the African-American community?
Trust has to be earned—it’s not automatic, especially in a community where there’s a real and valid history of medical mistrust. And earning that trust starts with something simple but powerful: listening—really listening—to what people are saying. Not just about their symptoms, but about their fears, their experiences, and how they see their health. And I never forget that when a patient walks into my office, they may be carrying generations of reasons not to trust the system. My job is to meet them with empathy and to earn their trust over time—not with big promises, but with small, consistent acts of care.
Q: How important is culturally responsive, inclusive care when it comes to working with the African-American community?
It’s everything. You can’t treat someone well if you don’t understand who they are. That includes their background, their beliefs, and their family dynamics. Culturally responsive care means knowing that health care isn’t one-size-fits-all. When people feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to engage, follow through, and stay healthy.
Q: Within the African-American community, there is a reverence and respect we hold for our elders. How are you working to promote healthy aging for older adults in Hartford?
I help older adults stay independent, active, and connected. I also emphasize nutrition, movement, and cognitive health. In Hartford, I connect patients to community resources like senior programs, physical therapy, and home care to support aging with dignity. Aging should be about thriving, not just surviving.
Q: How can family members support our elders to maintain their independence and wellness? Does the community have a role to play in this? If so, what does this look like?
Family is the first line of support—helping with medications, going to appointments, and encouraging healthy habits. But community matters too. Having access to senior centers, safe spaces to walk, transportation, and meals—that makes a huge difference. When we support our elders together, they live longer and better.
Q: While we love our elders, sometimes we may have to step into the caregiver role when it’s clear they need around-the-clock care. This can bring stress to both the caregiver and their families. What is your advice on how to support caregivers and families to prevent burnout?
Caregiving is a beautiful act of love—but it’s also physically and emotionally demanding. It can be isolating and overwhelming. My advice to caregivers is don’t try to do it alone. Self-care for caregivers is not selfish—it’s survival. And as providers, we must screen caregivers regularly for signs of burnout and depression. Offer help. Sometimes just listening makes a difference.
Q: When it comes to mental health in the African-American community, there has been progress. However, there is still a stigma. How can this stigma be addressed in our city and state?
We need to normalize mental health conversations, especially among men. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Unaddressed trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can affect our relationships, our work, and even our physical health outcomes. This needs to be addressed in schools, families, and the media. It also means increasing access to culturally informed therapists who understand our experiences. Mental health is health—and it deserves the same attention as physical health. The more we talk about it, the more we break the stigma.
Q: There is also a stigma in our community when it comes to sexual health. What is your advice on how to address this?
Open, honest conversations are the key. Sexual health is a part of overall health, not something to be ashamed of. I encourage people to view STI screening, contraception, and sexual education the same way they view a dental checkup—routine, responsible, and necessary. We need to create safe spaces, especially for youth, to ask questions without fear or judgment.
Q: Why is it important to address these stigmas against mental health and sexual health in our community?
Because silence can be deadly. Stigma keeps people from seeking care, getting tested, or reaching out when they’re struggling. When we break down stigma, we save lives. Mental and sexual health have been stigmatized in our community for generations. But these are fundamental parts of being human. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary for healing and progress.
Dr. Joseph is welcoming new patients at Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group’s West Hartford Family Medicine location at 345 North Main Street. To learn more, view all primary care locations and providers, or schedule an appointment, visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org/PrimaryCare.
